Israel is currently engaged in fighting against Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, with a commitment to retaliate for Iran's missile strike on October 1.

In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes targeted parts of Tyre, prompting the military to warn residents to evacuate. The strikes caused widespread panic, and footage showed thick black smoke rising from the coastal city. “The situation is dire; we’re evacuating people,” said Mortada Mhanna, head of Tyre’s disaster management unit. His colleague, Bilal Kashmar, added, “It feels like the entire city of Tyre is being evacuated.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's latest regional visit, his 11th since the conflict began, follows escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah. Previous U.S. attempts to contain the conflict and broker peace have been unsuccessful. The war in Gaza erupted after a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures. In response, Israel launched an offensive in Gaza that has resulted in 42,718 deaths, based on figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which the UN recognizes as reliable.

Blinken emphasized that Israel should consolidate its strategic achievements and warned against actions that could escalate tensions further. On aid to Gaza, he acknowledged some progress but stressed the need for continued efforts to assist civilians trapped in conflict zones.

After his visit to Israel, Blinken traveled to Saudi Arabia, where normalization talks with Israel are currently on hold pending progress on the creation of a Palestinian state. He described Saudi Arabia as central to a potential shift in regional dynamics and suggested the opportunity to normalize relations with Israel still exists.

In discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken urged a ceasefire following the reported death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the orchestrator of the October 7 attack. Netanyahu expressed hope that Sinwar’s death could positively influence the return of hostages taken into Gaza, of whom 97 are still held, including 34 confirmed dead by the Israeli military.

Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its ground and air campaign in northern Gaza, aiming to dismantle Hamas's presence in the region. Humanitarian concerns continue to rise, as Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza reported a complete shortage of medical supplies amid ongoing violence. The World Health Organization also postponed a polio vaccination drive due to the deteriorating security situation.

Israel has shifted focus to Lebanon as well, responding to increasing attacks from Hezbollah since late September. Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets across Lebanon have killed at least 1,552 people, according to Lebanese health ministry data. On Wednesday, Hezbollah announced it had fired rockets at an Israeli military intelligence base near Tel Aviv.

The Israeli military recently claimed to have killed Hezbollah leader-in-waiting Hashem Safieddine in an airstrike three weeks ago, although Hezbollah has not confirmed his death. Israeli army chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi stated, “We have reached Nasrallah, his successor, and most of Hezbollah’s top leadership.”